noun
holly
HO-lee
noun
1
A prickly-leaved evergreen shrub or small tree with bright red berries, often used as Christmas decoration.
"They hung sprigs of holly over the fireplace for the holidays."
"The garden had a tall holly hedge along one side."
How to Use Holly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe spiky-leaved plant with red berries you see in Christmas decorations and wreaths.
Common pairings
holly and ivy
sprig of holly
holly berries
holly bush
Word Forms
hollies plural
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They hung sprigs of _____ over the fireplace for the holidays.
Etymology
From Old English holen/holeġn, an old Germanic word for the same prickly evergreen plant.